Whats the difference between the RME HDSP 9652 and the Multiface 2?

[lurgan liar]

Hello, I am undecided on which audio interface to buy ..I have been looking at the rme gear and i am not entirely sure what the difference is between the HDSP and the Multiface ....

If i am understanding this correctly .. I could buy a HDSP 9652 and connect a Behringer ADA8000 to it via ADAT ...in theory i could connect 3 of them to it???

How exactly do i connect my monitors using this set up? ....

...Rme gear looks fantastic but it also seems very complicated ...

Perhaps i should just buy a Presonus Firepod for simplicity sake ... and then i will be able to use this with a laptop as well?

Can anyone offer any suggestions?

 

[Synkrotron]

The HDSP 9652 is far superior to the Multiface in terms of expandability. With the Multiface being a rack mounted external device I don't think you are able to expand it in the future whereas the HDSP you can because it's only limited by the space inside your DAW PC.

Having said that, if you are also thinking of using it with a laptop then only the Multiface (or similar... you mention Presonus) will do.


Monitoring with the HDSP requires the purchase of an additional expansion board called AEB8-0 and this allows you to hook up four headphones for stereo monitoring. I use the same with my REM DIGI9636 and it works a treat.

And yes, with the HDSP you can hook up three ADAT mic/line preamps to give you up to 24 channels of multi-track capability.

I can certainly recommend RME gear, and it you get stuck the guys there are quite helpfull.


cheers


andy

 

[xstatic]

I believe that if you add the expansion board, it will take the place of the 3 ADAT slot. You should check on that. Have you considered the Fireface instead? You can also use the s/pdif out to an external D/A converter and monitor from there

 

[Synkrotron]

I believe that if you add the expansion board, it will take the place of the 3 ADAT slot. You should check on that. Have you considered the Fireface instead? You can also use the s/pdif out to an external D/A converter and monitor from there

The board I have specified only takes up one of the ADAT outputs and it is unlikely that you need to go back out unless you are recording to an external ADAT unit

Also, by using the 8 analog output board you can send separate monitor mixes to each headphone socket (and yes... you can connect headphones straight to the expansion board outputs).


andy

 

[lurgan liar]

Can you connect up a set of monitors to that expansion board? ...

Check out this deal - it has a hdsp 9632 + a break out box

HDSP 9632 + BOB1 ...

Would i be correct in saying that it would it be possible to connect a set of monitors into the stereo line outs in that break out box..? They appear to be RCA connectors?

And there are 2 connectors on the back of the PCI card for ADAT ... Does this mean i can have 8 channels of ADAT INPUT and OUTPUT ... ?

 

[Synkrotron]

Can you connect up a set of monitors to that expansion board? ...

in a word... yes

Check out this deal - it has a hdsp 9632 + a break out box

that's a new product by the looks of it and the break-out box just saves you connecting to the usual flying leads at the back of the card.

Would i be correct in saying that it would it be possible to connect a set of monitors into the stereo line outs in that break out box..? They appear to be RCA connectors?

yes... but they would either have to be active monitors or you'd need an amp

And there are 2 connectors on the back of the PCI card for ADAT ... Does this mean i can have 8 channels of ADAT INPUT and OUTPUT ... ?

yes indeed

but this is a much cut down version of the card you were looking at earlier... why the change? is the other card out of your price bracket?

You could go the the Hammerfall card that I've got which gives you 2 ADAT I/O (giving you a total of 16 tracks) plus S/PDIF.

Having said that, the 9632 also comes with MIDI too if you are after that too...

 

[lurgan liar]

At the moment i am really attracted by the RME HDSP 9632 and the 9652 ...

But this means i will still have to buy an ADA8000 ... the total cost will be in the 450 region...

and this limits me to recording on my DAW ... perhaps i should be spending my money on a firewire interface such as the firepod or the mackie 400f which will allow me to record on to a laptop which would be an added bonus ...

If I had the money i'd definetly get the rme fireface ...but as you can see my price range is hitting the 400-500 range?

 

[Synkrotron]

I can see the attraction of being able to move your sound device between your home DAW and your laptop... good idea really...

not my dad's company anyways I just think that RME produce good gear and I'm more than happy with my RME card...


cheers

andy